Playlist: 10 tracks you need to hear

Chris Brown: 'Strip'After a successful comeback in 2011 with his F.A.M.E. album, Chris Brown is already gearing up to release the record's sister project Fortune next year. The new album's lead single 'Strip' is a booty-bouncing mix of pulsing beats and '90s-styled melodies that includes a feature from Kevin McCall. LC

Marina and the Diamonds: 'Starring Role'She's still playing her cards close to her chest about the concept of her next album, but we're not going to complain so long as Marina keeps delivering the goods. Her latest track - called 'Starring Role' - may have been at the hands of America's poppiest producers, but thankfully it seems they can't even gloss over all her quirks. RC

Radiohead: 'Bloom' (Jamie xx mix)With Jamie from The xx's profile at an all-time high (he produced the title track for Drake's new album), it would have been foolish of Radiohead to leave this reswizzle of King of Limbs cut 'Bloom' in the vault, after narrowly missing out on a spot on their new remix album TKOL RMX 1234567. Jamie's version may be more condensed than the original, but we're thoroughly drawn in by the hectic atmosphere. RC

Drake ft. Nicki Minaj: 'Make Me Proud'The second single to be taken from Drake's Take Care LP, 'Make Me Proud' sees the Young Money rapper team up with fellow label mate Nicki Minaj. The track is a combo of heavy hip-hop beats and the pair's unmistakable lyrical flow. The song is available to download now. LC

Swedish House Mafia: 'Antidote'One of the world's biggest dance acts today return with a collaboration with Knife Party (side-project of Pendulum's Rob Swire and Gareth McGrillen), which is officially released on January 15. The track treads a much darker path than the Swedes' usual productions and comes with a massive dubstep-esque warbling bottom-end. RC

Ke$ha: 'U Better Know'Currently working on her sophomore album, JD-swigger Ke$ha has promised a collection of '70s metal-influenced hits for next spring. However, Camp Suxx has sprung a leak with new cut 'U Better Know'; a rock-driven anthem that falls somewhere between Paramore and Katy Perry. Only time will tell if the track will make the final list come next May. LC

will.i.am: 'T.H.E (The Hardest Ever)'We featured the demo a few weeks ago, but we're pleased to report the finished version is a much glossier if not slightly predictable will.i.am affair. That said, the cameo from Mick Jagger still gets us every time. The track serves as the lead single from his frustratingly titled second solo album #willpower, which follows in 2012. RC

Wretch 32: 'Forgiveness'The latest spin-off from Wretch's debut album Black and White is easily our favourite to date; a stadium-ready grime ballad about the difficulties of balancing fame, family and fortune. The track is officially released on December 11. RC

WU LYF - 'We Bros'Mysterious quartet WU LYF (pronounced Woo Life) have caused a stir in the music biz this year by refusing to talk about their material with the press. However, the hipster-rock act from Manchester release 'We Bros' as the third single from their debut album Go Tell Fire to the Mountain. LC

Dot Rotten: 'Keep It On The Low'When he's not adding some more swagger to a Cher Lloyd album track, London MC Dot Rotten is laying down rhymes on his electronica-led grime track 'Keep It On The Low'. The Universal artist's new single follows his free EP Above The Waves, which is also available to download now. LC

Which are your favourite tracks on this week's playlist? What upcoming releases are you looking forward to? Leave your comments in the box below: